Burnaby Car Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Burnaby or elsewhere in Vancouver or British Columbia, you should seek help from an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.

Your lawyer can take immediate steps to protect your legal rights – especially when you are dealing with an Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) claim. Your lawyer can also get to work right away on seeking all benefits and other compensation you are entitled to receive.

For more than two decades, Klein Lawyers has worked closely with auto accident victims in Burnaby and surrounding areas, fighting to obtain the maximum financial recovery for them in their ICBC claims. We are ready to go to work for you today.

We can assist if you or a family member has been injured in a collision as a vehicle driver, bicyclist, pedestrian or motorcycle rider. We also work with those who have been harmed by hit-and-run drivers.

How Common Are Auto Accidents in Burnaby?

ICBC receives an average of 260,000 crash reports each year, with more than 65 percent of those crashes occurring in Burnaby and other streets within the Lower Mainland.

Unfortunately, many of these crashes result in injuries and deaths. Check out the following chart (based on ICBC Quick Statistics):

ICBC Crash Reports – Five Year Averages

Area

Total Crashes

Injuries

Deaths

British Columbia

260,000

79,000

267

Lower Mainland

170,000

56,000

92

At Klein Lawyers, we know how congested and dangerous traffic can be on the streets of Burnaby. Located just east of Vancouver, the city is densely populated. It features many busy roads where motor vehicle accidents can readily occur such as Canada Way and the Trans-Canada Highway. Other major routes where crashes can occur include:

Like many other areas in B.C., a high number of crashes in Burnaby occur at intersections. ICBC reports that, on average, 83,000 accidents happen at intersections within the province each year, including 65,000 in the Lower Mainland alone.

Based on ICBC statistics from one recent year, the three most dangerous intersections in Burnaby are:

Additionally, many accidents occur in Burnaby each year which involve collisions with buses run by Coast Mountain Bus Company, which is a division of TransLink.

What Should You Do After Car Accident in Burnaby?

If you are involve in a car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian or bicycle accident in Burnaby, you should take the following steps in order to protect your health and preserve your right to seek just compensation:

Check yourself and others for injuries – See if you or anyone else needs immediate medical attention. However, do not try to move anyone. Wait for emergency medical responders to arrive.

Call the police – You will want an officer to arrive as soon as possible in order to secure the scene. Request an ambulance if one is needed.

Gather evidence at the scene, if possible – If you are physically able to do so, you should take photos of the vehicles involved in the crash and photos of any skid marks or debris at the scene. You should also get the names and contact information of any witnesses.

Get medical attention right away – If you are not transported from the scene by an ambulance, see your regular physician or go to an emergency department without delay. In Burnaby, you may wish to seek medical attention at:Burnaby Hospital
3935 Kincaid Street
Burnaby, B.C. V5G 2X6
(604) 434-4211

Report your accident to ICBC – You will need to report your accident to ICBC. You can report it by phone by calling Dial-a-Claim at (800) 910-4222. If your crash occurred in the Lower Mainland, call (604) 520-8222. You can also file your accident report online.

Get a copy of the accident report – The law enforcement agency that responded to your crash should have a report available within a few days after it happens. If you were in a crash in Burnaby, you should check with:Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Burnaby
6355 Deer Lake Avenue
Burnaby, B.C V5G 2J2
(604) 294-7922

Gather and store all of your documents – Make copies of all medical bills, including hospital, chiropractor and pharmacist bills. You should also make copies of receipts from all other expenses related to your accident. Keep the copies and original documents in a safe place for use later on in your case.

Do not discuss your case with anyone – You should stay away from talking about your case on social media or discussing it with anyone beyond your family members and close friends. You should contact a lawyer before you accept an ICBC settlement offer or before you give ICBC authority to review your medical and employment records.

Contact a lawyer without delay – The most important step you take in order to protect your legal rights will be to get in touch with a lawyer. Keep in mind: At Klein Lawyers, our consultations are always free and completely confidential.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Burnaby

At Klein Lawyers, our team has fought on behalf of car accident victims in Burnaby and surrounding communities in British Columbia for more than two decades. Our firm has handled a wide variety of crashes, and we understand the specific steps you must take to recover ICBC benefits and other compensation after a crash.

Some of the most common kinds of accidents we handle include:

Speeding — A driver who is going too fast usually does not have the same stopping distance as other vehicles. The driver may be unable to stop on time to avoid a crash. A speeding driver can also lose control and cause a crash.

Reckless and Aggressive Driving — Examples of dangerous and reckless driving include speeding as well as tailgating, racing through red lights, refusing to yield where the law requires and making dangerous passes.

Distracted Driving — Many motorists struggle to put away their phones. Talking, texting or e-mailing can divert a driver’s attention from the road and increase the risk of a crash. Drivers can allow many other types of distraction to get in the way of safe driving, including adjusting radio controls, eating, drinking and dealing with children.

Drunk Driving — It is a criminal offense in Burnaby for a person to operate a motor vehicle with a breath or blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, while under provincial law in British Columbia, a driver with a BAC of 0.05 can be served with an Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP).

Fatigued Driving — Although we often associate fatigue with drivers of large trucks, any motorist can be dangerous when they drive while drowsy. A driver who is too fatigued to drive can react slowly, make bad decisions and possibly fall asleep behind the wheel.

Intersection Accidents — These crashes occur when drivers fail to obey traffic lights or signs or fail to yield the right of way to other vehicle, bicyclists or pedestrians. Multiple people may witness an intersection accident.

Weather and Road Conditions — Burnaby residents know all too well the havoc that winter snow, slush and ice can create on roads throughout British Columbia. Some drivers fail to adapt to conditions and cause severe accidents. Bad weather does not excuse unsafe driving behavior. Motorists can still be found responsible for the injuries that they cause due to negligent driving.

Passenger Injury Claims — The drivers are not the only individuals hurt in motor vehicle accidents. Many passengers suffer catastrophic injuries and can be entitled to ICBC benefits and, potentially, tort claim compensation.

Pedestrian Accidents — Drivers in Burnaby often fail to pay attention to pedestrians or recognize when they have the right of way at intersections. The injuries that pedestrians suffer in collisions with negligent motor vehicle drivers can be catastrophic.

Bicycle Accidents — Too many drivers cause accidents because they fail to respect the rights of cyclists to share our roads in Burnaby. Because they lack structural protection and often get thrown from their bikes, cyclists can suffer severe brain, spine and limb injuries.

Uninsured Motorist Accidents — Unfortunately, some people operate automobiles in Burnaby without liability insurance, or insurance that will cover the personal injury and property damage that they cause. Klein Lawyers can help you to pursue all of your options, including filing an uninsured motorist claim with ICBC (or a claim filed pursuant to Section 20 of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act.

Hit-and-Run Accidents — When a driver flees the scene of a collision without providing any information, it is commonly referred to as a hit-and-run crash. Failure to stop at the scene of an accident is a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison. We can help you to pursue options that may include filing an ICBC claim pursuant to Section 24 of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act.

Underinsured Motorist Accidents — Some drivers may have automobile insurance policies, but the limits on those policies may not cover all of the damages caused. In such cases, a driver may be able to pursue an Uninsured Motorist Protection (UMP) claim.

While many accidents involve similar causes, the specific details of each crash are different. It is essential to understand all of the possible contributing factors that might have contributed to your accident.

Common Car Accident Injuries in Burnaby

People who are seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents can have their lives irreversibly altered. Klein Lawyers understands the tremendous financial and emotional toll that these injuries can place on victims and their families, and we want to help. Our firm has helped car accident victims for more than 20 years. If you were hurt in a car accident, our lawyers can pursue compensation for you through ICBC accident benefits claims and tort claims.

Some of the most common types of injury cases we handle include:

Head and Brain Injuries — A traumatic brain injury (TBI) creates immediate physical, psychological and cognitive challenges for a victim. Even a mild form of TBI such as a concussion can lead to long-term challenges.

Back Injuries — Injuries to the back can be devastating. They range from bulging or slipped discs to severe spinal cord injuries that result in loss of feeling and function below the waist or possibly in all extremities.

Knee Injuries — Some knee injuries such as ligament tears can be severe enough to require multiple surgeries to correct the damage and may require extensive physical rehabilitation.

Shoulder Injuries — A shoulder injury quickly becomes painful for a victim because the joint is used far more frequently than most people realize. Again, rehabilitation can prove to be a very long and trying process for some victims.

Burns — Car accidents could result in explosions or fires, and victims who are not able to escape may suffer painful burn injuries. Severe burn injuries may require skin grafts and additional surgical procedures.

Internal Organ Injuries — Ruptured spleens and punctured lungs are two examples of internal organ injuries that people suffer in car accidents. Other types of internal bleeding or organ damage can potentially be life-threatening injuries.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — The psychological trauma that a person suffers due to a car accident can be as debilitating as any physical injury. Many victims experience a combination of anxiety, depression, flashbacks and mood changes that disrupt their careers and relationships.

How Can a Burnaby ICBC Claim Lawyer Help You?

If you are involved in an auto accident in Burnaby, you may be eligible to pursue two types of claims:

Part 7 / no-fault benefits claim – Regardless of who caused your crash, you can pursue these benefits through your own Basic Auto plan, which is the insurance that you must carry as a motorist in British Columbia. These benefits cover up to $150,000 in medical and rehabilitation costs.

Tort claim – If another driver caused your crash, you can file this claim through the driver’s ICBC liability policy. You can seek a full recovery of your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and more.

Keep in mind: When you deal with an ICBC adjuster, that adjuster will not be out to protect your interests. Instead, the adjuster owes a duty to ICBC. The adjuster will look for every opportunity to minimize the amount paid to you.

A lawyer, on the other hand, will be entirely focused on protecting your interests. The lawyer will explore all options available to maximize the value of your recovery.

At Klein Lawyers, you can count on our Burnaby car accident lawyers to:

Timely and properly file your paperwork with ICBC or, if necessary, with the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Gather and analyze all crash scene evidence, medical records, employment records and other information that bears on your claim.

Consult with knowledgeable and highly trained experts in accident reconstruction, medical care and other fields.

Aggressively seek a full and fair settlement of your ICBC claim through direct and/or mediated negotiations with ICBC.

If necessary, take your case to court and present a persuasive case on your behalf.

Once a settlement or verdict is obtained, move as quickly as possible to make sure you receive the funds you are owed.

We can work with you on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you will pay us no investigative, expert or litigation costs or lawyer fees unless we secure a financial recovery for you. If and when we obtain a settlement or verdict in your favor, we will be paid from an agreed-upon percentage of your recovery.

If you or a loved one has been harmed in a motor vehicle accident of any kind in Burnaby or a nearby area in British Columbia, do not hesitate to contact Klein Lawyers. We will provide the caring, personalized attention you deserve and the skilled and experienced legal assistance you need during this difficult time in your life. Contact us today.